If you were shopping for a washer/dryer, where would you go for research?

[Ornery]

(Notice lack of HUGE quote above?)

Interesting since that brand is rated pretty low on relaibility according to Consumer Reports.

There is nothing to break. They build dishwashers, which are used in high end kitchens around the world.

Washing Machines Review

• Updated March 2005
  
  Consumer Reports' roundup of washing machines is the most credible independent review we were able to find...
  
  ...Two particular models have been called into question lately, the Kenmore/Whirlpool Calypso and Maytag Neptune front-loader. In response to several class action lawsuits, Maytag issued a settlement in September 2004. According to the suit filings and Maytag's settlement statement, consumers are having mechanical and electronic problems, and some are having problems with water drainage and mold...
  
  ...One new model from Fisher & Paykel is addressing the capacity issue with the Ecosmart GWL11 (*est. $600), which holds as much laundry as some front-loaders with a larger-than-most 3.7-cubic-foot stainless-steel tub. An automatic wash-level feature ensures no more water than necessary is used. Also, tests show that the Ecosmart's 1,000-rpm spin cycle extracts more water from clothing than other models. That means less drying time. Some owners posting to ThatHomeSite.com say that the fast spin cycle is loud (some say it's like a jet engine) but add that the noise doesn't last too long.
  
  Tests show that the Fisher & Paykel is gentler on clothing than other models, and the cycle time is more in line with that of a typical top-loading model, about fifty minutes. There's also a thirty-minute quick-wash cycle for lightly soiled clothing. Fisher & Paykel is not a well-known brand yet in the U.S., but the company has long been a presence in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. While most washers carry a one-year warranty, Fisher & Paykel covers its Ecosmart washers for two years. This is good, since new data shows Fisher & Paykel's top-loaders to be more repair-prone than some other brands...

Fisher and Paykel GWL11 Top Load Washer Overall rating 4/5 Stars

More repair-prone than some other brands? I'd like to know what, because there's just nothing to break!

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Ilmater
Just wondering if anyone knows of any other websites that would be helpful in choosing washer/dryers? All help is appreciated.

I bought some kenmore from sears recently for really cheap, do that

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: Ornery
(Notice lack of HUGE quote above?)

Interesting since that brand is rated pretty low on relaibility according to Consumer Reports.

There is nothing to break. They build dishwashers, which are used in high end kitchens around the world.

Washing Machines Review

• Updated March 2005
  
  Consumer Reports' roundup of washing machines is the most credible independent review we were able to find...
  
  ...Two particular models have been called into question lately, the Kenmore/Whirlpool Calypso and Maytag Neptune front-loader. In response to several class action lawsuits, Maytag issued a settlement in September 2004. According to the suit filings and Maytag's settlement statement, consumers are having mechanical and electronic problems, and some are having problems with water drainage and mold...
  
  ...One new model from Fisher & Paykel is addressing the capacity issue with the Ecosmart GWL11 (*est. $600), which holds as much laundry as some front-loaders with a larger-than-most 3.7-cubic-foot stainless-steel tub. An automatic wash-level feature ensures no more water than necessary is used. Also, tests show that the Ecosmart's 1,000-rpm spin cycle extracts more water from clothing than other models. That means less drying time. Some owners posting to ThatHomeSite.com say that the fast spin cycle is loud (some say it's like a jet engine) but add that the noise doesn't last too long.
  
  Tests show that the Fisher & Paykel is gentler on clothing than other models, and the cycle time is more in line with that of a typical top-loading model, about fifty minutes. There's also a thirty-minute quick-wash cycle for lightly soiled clothing. Fisher & Paykel is not a well-known brand yet in the U.S., but the company has long been a presence in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. While most washers carry a one-year warranty, Fisher & Paykel covers its Ecosmart washers for two years. This is good, since new data shows Fisher & Paykel's top-loaders to be more repair-prone than some other brands...

Fisher and Paykel GWL11 Top Load Washer Overall rating 4/5 Stars

More repair-prone than some other brands? I'd like to know what, because there's just nothing to break!

Wish I'd heard of that brand before buying my Kenmore, might have been good to look into. Nah, Loving my Kenmore.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Ornery
More repair-prone than some other brands? I'd like to know what, because there's just nothing to break!

I'll look at my Consumer Reports tonight if I remember. They list the repair frequencies of all major brands as reported by tens/hundreds of thousands of readers. A washing machine can easilly have a failed motor or failed electonics. But yes, there isn't much that can break on a washing machine.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Pay attention to the higher RPM spin cycle for the washing machine.

Cuts back on the drying time considerably.

 

[Ornery]

...there isn't much that can break on a washing machine.

On this machine, there is no conventional motor. There is no transmission, belts or gears. My first washer was a Whirlpool by Sears, and it lasted from 1982 to 2002 when I bought this Fischer & Paykel. I had to put a motor in, and "rebuild" the timer switch during that time. I expect this one to last at least as long, because it has half the parts!

 

[dleiss]

Two of my office mates have the Maytag front-loaders and love them. 2 years+ with no problems.

My top-loading Maytag is 14+ years with zero problems. Originally was leaning towards GE until I discovered that the agitator was slower on the Maytag at normal-speed and I wanted gentle for my shirts.

My propane-gas Maytag dryier is great but the newer models have better dryness sensors.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: Ornery
More repair-prone than some other brands? I'd like to know what, because there's just nothing to break!

I'll look at my Consumer Reports tonight if I remember. They list the repair frequencies of all major brands as reported by tens/hundreds of thousands of readers. A washing machine can easilly have a failed motor or failed electonics. But yes, there isn't much that can break on a washing machine.

Ok here is the data:
[*]101,775 washers purchased between 2000 and 2004 were studied.
[*]"For washers in general, there was no real difference in repair rate between top- and front-loaders. In the conventional top-loader group, Fisher & Paykel and KitchenAid were among the more repair-prone brands."
[*]Washer data: top-loaders percent needing repairs
Roper: 6%
Frigidaire: 8%
Whirlpool: 10%
Kenmore (Sears): 11%
Maytag: 11%
GE: 11%
Whirlpool Calypso: 14%
Amana: 14%
KitchenAid: 17%
Fisher & Paykel: 18%
Kenmore Calypso: 18%
[*]Front-loaders:
GE: 10%
Kenmore (Sears): 11%
Whirlpool: 12%
Frigidaire: 13%
Maytag: 19%.
Not enough data for Fisher & Paykel front-loaders, but we have to go by their claim that "there was no real difference".

 

[Ornery]

Thanks for going through the effort.

I find it amusing that the Whirlpool Calypso escapes the "repair-prone" lable, while the Kenmore Calypso is the exact same unit!

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
my stepmother

she knows everything there is to know about laundry

you shouldn't do that with your socks.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I find it amusing that the Whirlpool Calypso escapes the "repair-prone" lable, while the Kenmore Calypso is the exact same unit!

Sorry, I didn't post Consumer Reports' margin of error:

"Differences of less than four points aren't meaningful". Thus the 14% and 18% are basically identical within the margin of error. The Whirlpool Calypso, Amana, Kitchenaid, Fisher & Paykel, and Kenmore Calypso are statistically a tie in reliability with that sample size.

 

[Sophia]

A friend of mine who worked in the alternative power industry (solar and wind power, and consequently energy efficient appliances) would recommend Staber Washing Machines hands down, though this was a few years ago.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I generally buy all only Kenmore appliances as they are always a good brand name part rebadged and sold for less.